What does the metafile contain?

• A. The Actual Data Values
• B. Only the Edit Rules
• C. Everything Necessary to Edit the Data, Except the Data
• D. Only the Data Dictionary

Answer: (C)

A metafile holds metadata that describes how the dataset is structured and how it should be edited, but it does not store the actual data values. It includes everything needed to interpret and edit the data: field definitions, data types, formats, constraints, and validation or edit rules, plus documentation about how the data are organized and related.

That’s why the correct choice says it contains everything necessary to edit the data, except the data itself. The metafile is not the actual data values, nor is it limited to just the edit rules or only the data dictionary. The data dictionary is part of it, but the metafile also covers structure, rules, and other metadata needed to work with the data.